Portable flexible access ladder and safety reels assembly



Sept. 2, 1969 REMELE 3,464,516

PORTABLE FLEXIBLE ACCESS LADDER AND SAFETY HEELS ASSEMBLY Filed March 22, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

5n VESTER EEMELE BY swmwmh I Sept. 2, 1969 Q -E 3,464,516

PORTABLE FLEXIBLE ACCESS LADDER AND SAFETY HEELS ASSEMBLY Filed March 22, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet? INVENTOR. 5Y1. VESTEE J. PEMELE States 3,464,516 PORTAELE FLEXEBLE ACCESS LADDER AND SAFETY REELS ASSEMBLY Sylvester J. Remele, Pittsburgh, Pa. (418 Revere Drive, Monroevilie, Pa. 15146) Filed Mar. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 715,250 Int. Cl. A6211 1/06; 1506c 1/52 U5. (1!. 182-73 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention In urban communities where sewer, mine and service facilities are located underground, it is necessary, from time to time, for a workman to descend a manhole shaft to inspect and make repairs to the underground facilities. Usually, the workman climbs down a ladder or steps secured to the manhole shaft, but, occasionally, because of long periods of neglect and the lack of proper care and maintenance, the ladder or steps in the manhole shaft fail, and the workman who may be either descending or ascending the shaft loses his footing and is precipitated downward to the bottom of the shaft. Serious injury and even death can result from such a fall.

When a workmen is so injured or when a workman is killed in such a fall, it is difficult to extricate the injured man or the body from the bottom of the manhole shaft, for the reason that the manhole shaft is not large enough usually for more than one man to pass at a time. Further, with the ladder or steps in a broken condition, it is not easy for rescuers to descend the shaft and help the injured man to bring him to the surface or to recover the body.

The present invention provides equipment that obviates the present difficulties, and how the present invention accomplishes this will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing which discloses one embodiment of the invention.

Summary of the invention The invention comprises, in combination, a support frame having a portion adaptable to engage a supporting medium on opposite sides of an access opening, and a shaft that is journaled to the support frame for rotation about an axis. A first reel is freely mounted to the shaft and at least one second reel is similarly mounted to the shaft. Means for engaging and disengaging the respective reels from the shaft is provided so that when the shaft is rotated either one or both of the reels may rotate at the same time. A flexible ladder is wound on the first reel, and means is provided on the support frame for engaging the ladder and holding it in a suspended position through the access opening. A safety line is wound on the other reel that is adapted to be lowered through the access opening; and means is provided for rotating the shaft to raise the ladder and to raise the safety line when each reel is engaged to the shaft.

atent O f ice For a further understanding of the invention and for advantages and features thereof, reference may be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show for the purpose of exemplification a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the ladder of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic detail showing one way to connect sections of the ladder together;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a clip for connecting a section of the ladder to a supporting structure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates another application of the ladder of the invention.

Detailed description FIG. 1 illustrates a portable flexible access ladder and safety reels assembly 11 that comprises: a structural supporting frame 13; a shaft 15 journaled to the frame; a ladder reel 17; and two side safety reels 19, 21 journaled to the shaft 15.

The support frame 13 is comprised of two rectangular shaped side members 23 and one shorter end 25 of an open rectangle; the side members 23, 25 being secured together, as by :bolts 27 or other suitable types of fasteners. A pair of upwardly sloping, interconnected members 29, 31 are secured to each longer side of the frame 13, and form a support for pillow block bearings 33 wherein the shaft 15 is journaled.

Another shorter end member 35 of the rectangular frame 13 (FIG. 6) is a hollow rectangular box-like beam having end closures 37, 39, with rectangular apertures 41 therein, through which arms 43, 45 project outwardly as shown in FIG. 6. The arms 43, 45 are movable inwardly and outwardly as necessary, and each arm may be locked in a selected position by a screw device 47, or in any other suitable manner. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a ladder supporting shelf, comprised of a horizontal member 49 and a vertical member 51, is fixed to and projects outwardly from the front surface of the end member 35.

The three individual reels 17, 19, 21 are arranged on the shaft 15 about as shown in FIG. 1, with the main ladder reel 17 being located in the middle between the other two side reels 19, 21. Each reel comprises the conventional spool and flanges that are secured to a hub that is freely journaled to the shaft 15; the hub of the reel 17 being indicated as 53 and the hubs of the individual safety reels 19, 21 being indicated as 55. Each hub 53, 55 is provided with a locking device 57, whereby the individual reels 17, 19, 21' may be temporarily fixed to the shaft 15 so that they are rotatable with the shaft as it is rotated. One end of the shaft 15, or both ends of the shaft 15 if desired, is adapted, as at 59, to accommodate a crank (not shown) or power assisting tool whereby a selected reel, or a pair of reels, or all three reels together, may be rotated to lower or raise the equipment Wound onto the respective reel. This is to say, the ladder reel 17 alone, or both side reels 19, 21, or all three reels together 17, 19, and 21 may be engaged to and rotatable with the shaft 15. It will be clear also that each individual reel may be rotated separately if desired.

The ladder reel 17 supports a portable, flexible ladder 61 (FIG. 3) that is, preferably, made up of selected lengths of ladder that are joined together by means of suitable quick connect and disconnect connectors. Each section of ladder includes two spaced apart lengths of side rails 63, 65 and a plurality of rungs or steps 67 that are connected to the side rails 63, 65 at selected, spacedapart locations. The side rails 63, 65 are, preferably, made of double thickness nylon mesh tape, or other suitable fabric, and the rung or step 67 is inserted between the layers of tape, as suggested in FIG. 3; the step or rung 67 may be secured to the side rails 63, 65 by rivets 69, or in any other suitable manner. Each rung or step 67 may have a rectangular cross section, as suggested in FIG. 3, or any other desired cross sectional shape. Further, the rungs or steps 67 may be hollow or solid, or they may be made of aluminum or wood, or of any other suitable material, if such is preferred.

Preferably, each section of ladder is about 12 feet long, has about 19 steps or rungs 67, and the ladder section is about inches wide, measured between the side rails 63, 65. One end of each rail 63, 65 is secured as by rivets 71 to a clevis 73, and the opposite end of each side rail 63-, 65 is secured as by rivets 75 to a tongue 77; the tongue 77 of one side rail being adapted to fit and mate with the clevis 73 of another section of ladder. A suitable quickdisconnect type of fastener, such as the conventional toggle pin fastener 7-9, shown in FIG. 5, may be used if desired. Of course, other types of quick-connect and disconnect apparatus may be used to secure together the sections of ladder 61.

FIG. 7 illustrates one form of bent-up hanger 81, or clip, that may be fitted to the tailgate 83, or to the bumper, of a conventional truck 85, and, from one or more of these hangers 81, one or more interconnected sections of ladder 61 may be suspended in an open manhole 87, as suggested in FIG. 8.

When it is desirable or necessary for a workman to descend through an open manhole 87, the apparatus 11 may be brought to and placed adjacent the open manhole so that the outwardly extending arms 43, 45 engage the ground adjacent to, or the metallic casting at the top of, the manhole opening. The arms 43, 45 may be locked in such position by tightening the locking devices 47. Then, the locking device 57 that connects the ladder reel 17 to the shaft 15 may be disconnected, and a chain and hook attachment 89 that connects the ladder to the end mem ber if such is provided, may also be disconnected. With the ladder reel 17 in a freely rotatable situation, the ladder 61 may then be lowered into the manhole shaft until the bottom of the ladder reaches a desired level. When the bottom of the ladder reaches the desired lower limit, the step immediately adjacent the supporting shelf, at the front end of the support frame, is placed on the supporting shelf as shown in FIG. 4 so that the weight of the ladder in the manhole shaft is carried entirely by the shelf and beam 35. Then the weight of a man ascending or descending the ladder is also borne by the shelf and the supporting cross beam 35.

When a workman makes an inspection tour of subterranean passages, such as sewers and mine shafts, the workman connects the safetly lines to his belt or other service equipment. Then, as he makes his tour, the safety lines direct rescuers to him should he be injured and unable to return to the manhole shaft on schedule.

The safety lines may also be used by a workman upon entering and leaving a manhole shaft.

In the event of a catastrophe which necessitates rescue operations to bring an injured workman or the body of a workman from the bottom of a manhole shaft, rescuers would descend the ladder 61 suspended in the manhole shaft, and also carry with them the two ends of the safety lines wound on reels 19, 21; these reels having been previously disconnected from the shaft 15 by releasing the catches 57. The safety lines lead from the reels 19, 21 and 4 pass over freely rotatable rollers 91 journaled in supports 93 fixed to the front end cross member 35. The safety lines may then be connected to the safety belt, or other rescue equipment with which the injured Workman is provided. Then, other workmen at the surface may engage the catches 57 on reels 19, 21, and, by means of a power assisted tool or via hand crank fitted to the end of the shaft 15, rotate the safety reels 19, 21 to raise the injured workman from the bottom of the manhole shaft to the surface. The workmen assisting in the rescue can, of course, use the ladder 61 to reach the surface.

In some applications it may not be necessary to utilize all of the equipment and apparatus shown in FIG. 1. In that case, one or more sections of ladder may be suspended from a pair of clips 81 that are fitted over the tailgate 83 of a truck (FIG. 8), or from the bumper or other supporting structure of a truck or vehicle, and such ladder is available for access into and out of the manhole shaft 87.

A feature of the invention is the apparatus provides dependable and convenient access equipment, as well as safety and rescue equipment, for use in areas where the inspection and repair of underground service facilities and mines is regularly carried out.

A feature of the invention is the apparatus is readily portable and can be moved quickly and easily from one location to another where inspections are carried out and whenever rescue equipment is vitally needed.

A feature of the invention is that the ladder and safety lines are light in weight and easily handled, yet they are strong and safe for use under valying operating conditions that would preclude the use of metallic ladders. The rungs of the ladder of the invention could be made of wood or plastic and thereby render the ladder electrically non-conductive if this is preferred.

Although the invention has been described herein with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only as an example and that the scope of the invention is defined by what is hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination comprising:

(a) a mobile support frame having a portion that is adaptable to engage supporting medium on opposite sides of an access opening;

(b) a shaft journaled to said support frame for rotation about an axis;

(c) a first reel freely mounted to said shaft for rotation thereon;

(d) at least one other second reel similarly mounted to said shaft;

(e) means for engaging and disengaging each of said reels from said shaft whereby when said shaft is rotated, said reels rotate or do not rotate therewith as they are or are not engaged to said shaft;

(f) a flexible ladder wound on said first reel;

(g) means on said support frame for engaging said flexible ladder and maintaining it suspended through said access opening;

(h) a safety line on said other reel adapted to be lowered through said access opening; and

(i) means for rotating said shaft to raise said ladder and to raise said safety line when each reel is engaged to said shaft.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said ladder includes a pair of flexible non-metallic side rails; and

(b) a plurality of spaced apart rungs are secured to said side rails.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein:

(a) said side rails are comprised of a woven fabric.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said flexible ladder is comprised of a plurality of sections of ladder joined together, with each said ladder section comprising:

(i) a pair of woven fabric side rails,

5 (ii) a plurality of spaced apart rungs secured to each one of said side rails, and (iii) means for releasably connecting said side rails of a ladder section to other side rails of another ladder section to form a continuous length of flexible ladder.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said means on said support frame includes a horizontal platform on which a rung of said ladder is supported.

6. The invention of claim 1 including:

(a) means for rotating said shaft to thereby rotate said reels when the same are engaged with said shaft.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said safety line is made of a woven fabric.

8. The invention of claim 1 including:

(a) means for guiding said safety line over said support frame and through said access opening.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said one portion includes a pair of arms extendible from said frame to engage said supporting medium; and including (b) means for securing said arms in selected positions.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein:

(a) at least two safety reels are mounted to said shaft on opposite sides of said first reel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

